All About the Aston Martin Vantage, a Quintessentially British Supercar

Driving a sportscar in Manila's treacherous and congested roads could mean trouble, but you might not be able to resist with Aston Martin's newly launched Vantage: a car so unabashedly bold and distinctive, it's meant to turn heads. 

Aston Martin first introduced the name Vantage in 1951—on a high-output engine option for the DB2. It eventually developed to become a moden in its own right, establishing new classics like the William Towns-designed V8 Vantage, twin-supercharged V600 Le Mans, and the V8 Vantage.

The Vantage name reappeared in 1962 in the DB4 Vantage. Apart from a high-performance engine, these Vantage specification cars featured subtle styling modifications. and by 1964 the term became known for its the high-performance derivative. The mark of a Vantage vehicle was badges attached to the side strakes on the front wings, a habit that continued to the DB6, DB6 Mk2 and DBS. 

The AM Vantage became its first standalone model. Though short-lived (only 70 models were built) and essentially a rehash of the DBS Vantage, it started the foundation for a new kind of Aston Martin vehicle. Together with the AM V8, it was defined by its muscular looks and immense performance courtesy of a tuned 375bhp version of the 5.3-litre V8. The V8 Vantage would even spawn Volante and Zagato versions before it ceased production.

Vantage quickly gained recognition for being a British supercar. The line's next superstar was the V8-engined Virage Coupe. With uprated brakes and suspension and a pair of superchargers attached to the hand-built V8, this new Vantage was a 550bhp monster. Future cars evolved to 600bhp, including the final V600 Le Mans model, one of the rarest and most desirable Vantage models of all and the last Vantage model to be built at Newport Pagnell.

Vantage models only further improved. The DB7 Vantage of 2000 introduced Aston Martin’s new 6.0-liter V12. In 2005, the V8 Vantage featured a strong, lightweight bonded aluminium chassis, a large capacity V8 engine, and the Automated Sequential Manual transmission. Aston Martin continued to impress in 2009 with the V12 Vantage and its later models. 

Just this week, we witnessed the latest chapter in Vantage's history. The 2018 Vantage pursues Aston Martin's tradition of crafting beautiful and powerful automobiles: sharp and focused lines, a low-waist interior and lower driving position for a more immersed driving experience, space and headroom. 

For the first time ever, the 2018 Vantage also features an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff), which provides the driver with increased levels of confidence to explore and maximize the car’s capabilities.

“Beautiful won’t be tamed perfectly encapsulates this car, with its predatory stance, muscular flanks and broad haunches–it shows its incredible agility and performance through its design. Aston Martin’s dedicated craftsmanship is unmistakable on the new Vantage," says Marc Tagle, president of Aston Martin Philippines.

Function follows design and power: a combination of rotary and toggle style controls have been used for their tactile and intuitive functionality. PRND transmission buttons have been moved into a triangular formation so as to cluster major controls into clearly defined zones. 

The 2018 Vantage also features an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff), the first for Aston Martin. This differential is linked to the car’s electronic stability control system, allowing more control over the car. It makes the car feel much more composed both in terms of its straight-line stability and its cornering performance, providing the driver with increased levels of confidence to explore and maximize the car’s capabilities.

Finesse, function, and style, the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage has it all under and above the hood.